our story continued... We talked through the whole game about his love for fresh roasted coffee, our trip to Venezuela where he had his first experience tasting this amazing concoction. He knew of a business that did this in our area that had recently closed. He had spent many hours there watching, fixing equipment and learning from the roaster as much as he could. Now that the business had closed he was very upset that he could not get his daily fix…but might he might have a shot of starting his own roasterie? Later that day we went to the restaurant where we met- Twenty Water Street, East Greenwich RI- laughing and dreaming of this new opportunity without a clue what to do! Sometimes the right people come into your life for a moment and assist in ways you could never have planned. That was what happened to us…We met a “friend” over a glass of Narragansett Light Beer. Come to find out this “friend” had an extensive business background and offered us some simple but important advice…”buy only the assets”. Brilliant! Over the course of the next few weeks, we had located the former owner, acquired an attorney, and accountant, met with people from several state departments. We purchased the assets and recipes from the former owners to get the business started. That was the beginning of the most wonderful, terrifying and satisfying experience of our lives. We both bring plenty of informal experience to the business which also gave the fortitude to continue. Mark can fix anything. So when something breaks or doesn’t run correctly he can make it work. He is also very passionate about coffee…when he wants to learn about something he is completely dedicated and does his research to learn everything he can. He is also an amazing cook, he understands flavor components and how things will taste to make each component come together perfectly. Lastly, he works very hard..understanding the demands and hours that are needed to create a successful business. My background is similar; I have spent years working in the restaurant business, and managed an upscale coffee house in Providence’s East Side called Peaberry’s. I have an altogether different background in administration, working in the nonprofit business community for the last 10 years, I bring organizational development, marketing and planning to this business. Why not open our own Roaster & Café business…It seems like a great idea. We need to thank the important people in our lives who without them we would never have gotten this off the ground. Our children Lilly and May- you have been so enthusiastic, patient and loving- our mini barista in training, our parents Joan & Larry Additon –Thursday night dinners keep us grounded and fed- and my mom Kathy McGovern, Mark’s sisters Martha with guidance and support, Bethany who can bake up a storm, and Robin along with all your families who have contributed Seth our faithful caretaker, Rob our in house carpenter .A special thanks to the Beach Business Minds- Jim and Michele Gilbert, and Tom and Jane McGovern who gave us some of the best advice. Lori and Mark Duffy, Grace and Aidan who we love so much they have drinks named after their children the Gracie and the Paddy Boy, the babysitting, dinners and cheerleading on those nights when we need the most. -Stephanie Additon |
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